Rental Housing Program Fund - Maryland

Maryland Depratment of Housing and Community Development operates the Rental Housing Program in order to rehabilitate or create rental housing.

A portion of the federal HOME moneys administered by the State may be allocated along with the Rental Housing Program funds. The program is generally designed to be compatible with tax-exempt or taxable bond financing, low-income housing tax credits, and other private or public funds.

COMPETITIVE FUNDING PROCESS

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development allocates Rental Housing Program Funds through a competitive process. Applications are accepted at designated times during the year and are evaluated against criteria established by the Department. In general, priority is given to projects which:

Restrict units to tenants with incomes below 60% of median income

Restrict units to low-income tenants for more than 40 years

Provide tenant service packages

Use non-State funds in addition to State funds

Provide quality housing in a good location

Are sponsored by teams with demonstrated development and management ability

ELIGIBLE TYPES OF HOUSING

Newly constructed or rehabilitated rental housing including congregate housing, single-room occupancy, emergency shelters and shared living facilities are eligible for Rental Housing Program Funds. Projects may be restricted to elderly residents. In some cases, small commercial rehabilitation housing projects may be considered. All new construction projects must be located in Priority Funding Areas. Projects that meet the following criteria will be most competitive:

Target very low-income persons

Provide housing for families with minor children and/or single adults in Single Room Occupancy units;

This Working Paper looks at the combination of incentives state agencies are using in their LIHTC programs for affordable housing in neighborhoods with economic growth, quality schools, low crime, and access to...